Mapping Mobility in the AGS Mapping Project (1998)

Investigators

Andrea Scheller, Frédérique Chevrot (MIT)

Partners

AGS Mapping Project: Joanne Kauffman (project coordinator, CEI, MIT), Chizuru Aoki, Chia-Chin Cheng, Ali Shirvani-Mahdavi (co-investigators, all MIT), Ross Stevens (consultant, Stevens Associates), Sue Bridge (consultant)

Time Frame

1998

Funding

Alliance for Global Sustainability AGS

Abstract

AGS activities in its six "pathways of sustainability": energy, mobility, urban systems, cleaner technologies, natural resources, and global climate change, were mapped, ie. research needs and priorities in these fields were identified. For the mobility sector the analysis showed that the assessment of alternatives for sustainable mobility and the development of cost effective measures to reduce pollution should be prioritised, as well as an intensification of co-operation with developing countries and the construction of a network of sustainable mobility research activities.

Contents

English Summary

Project Description

Results

Publications

Presentations

English Summary

In January 1998 the co-ordinators of the Alliance for Global Sustainability (AGS) initiated a Mapping Project for AGS activities in its six "pathways of sustainability": energy, mobility, urban systems, cleaner technologies, natural resources, and global climate change. The goal of the project was to identify needs and priorities in each of the AGS sustainability pathways. For that purpose the a team of five researchers interviewed principal investigators of AGS projects and reviewed related literature to identify the products of AGS research, major questions and knowledge gaps, and other programs for overlaps and synergies. Andrea Scheller was assigned to investigate in the mobility sector during a two months stay at MIT. After her stay the draft of the white paper on mobility was handed over for completion to Frédérique Chevrot. The results of the investigation suggest that AGS should concentrate on coming to a better understanding of the problems (data analysis) and assessing alternatives for sustainable mobility systematically. Evenly important are the development of scenarios for cost effective measures for the reduction of pollution and congestion and for this purpose continued interactions with developing countries are crucial. The building of a global network of scholars with links to industry could serve as a catalyst for change by bringing together stakeholders.

Project Description

In January 1998 the International Advisory Board of the Alliance for Global Sustainability requested that AGS Coordinators undertake a mapping project to give a comprehensive overview of the AGS research portfolio and to demonstrate the degree to which the AGS is successful in meeting its goals. MIT was asked to take the lead in this initiative with the following objectives: (1) Identify needs and priorities in each of the AGS main areas, (2) Examine existing criteria for projects, (3) Develop further means to operationalise goals, (4) Prepare policy guidelines and objectives, and (5) Identify what it will take to meet these goals.
MIT identified a team of five graduates at MIT and ETH to work with coordinator, Dr. Joanne Kauffman, to develop four white papers covering the six AGS research areas (as well as cross cutting initiatives), global climate change, energy, mobility, water and agriculture, cleaner technologies and urban systems. The aim of the papers was to identify goals, barriers to sustainability, and gaps in knowledge; examine the strengths of current AGS projects, and major initiatives being undertaken elsewhere.
Working with assistance provided by ABB and DuPont, the team developed a working concept of "sustainability" (or, sustainable development) to attain a future state of human well-being and societal development without destroying the natural resources that provide the bases for current and future prosperity. The team began with a brainstorming meeting on the energy sector, which helped us to develop the model for sustainable development and identify key pathways which lead from the current state to the desired sustainable future state. Based on this initial work, the team developed a set of critical questions and students interviewed scholars in each of the areas. The team members also reviewed secondary literature and developed project summaries for each of the AGS projects. They met weekly to distil the data, develop key concepts, articulate how the AGS works to enable sustainable growth, and, most importantly, to identify critical relationships that will help the AGS build synergy between projects, identify gaps in knowledge and in current practice, and recommend future directions.
The draft white papers have been reviewed by principal investigators on AGS projects and were presented at the AGS annual meeting in January 1999 in Tokyo. After comments received at this meeting are incorporated, they will be published.

Results

Main results of the white paper on mobility

Major problems

• Growing and unmet demand for transportation service, personal transportation in particular
• Growing concern over pollution impacts, particularly in developing world
• Need for better technological and infrastructure alternatives/options

AGS Strengths

• Existing mobility programs (technology and policy) in cooperation with the International Cooperative Mobility Program and other major research initiatives, as well as strong links with industry
• Expertise in developing, modelling, and assessing technological options and policy actions · Multidisciplinary capacity
• Robust relationships in developing countries, especially China and Latin America

AGS Objectives

• Using the technical strengths of the three universities, come to a better understanding of the problems and assess alternatives for sustainable mobility
• Build a global network of scholars with links to industry which could serve as a catalyst for change by bringing together stakeholders Develop scenarios for cost effective measures for the reduction of pollution and congestion Continue and increase interactions with developing countries.

Publications

• Scheller, Andrea: "Experiences with an Academic Alliance for Sustainability", in: Proceedings of the Euroconference Series Quality of Life - Sustainability - Environmental Changes Event 3: "Present and future measures to achieve sustainability on international and local levels", Austrian Research Centers, Seibersdorf, April 2000.
• Chevrot, Frédérique, and Andrea Scheller: "White Paper on Mobility", in: The AGS Mapping Report, AGS (Alliance for Global Sustainability), MIT, Cambridge, December 1998.

Presentations

• "Experiences with an Academic Alliance for Sustainability" (paper presentation), Euroconference Series Quality of Life - Sustainability - Environmental Changes Event 3: "Present and future measures to achieve sustainability on international and local levels", Stadtschlaining, April 2000.
• "The Mapping Project" (talk), 2nd AGS (Alliance for Global Sustainability) - ETH Day, Berne, September 1998